How do I knock down the 10-pin with more consistency in bowling?

Question

I am an amateur bowler with an average of about 160. I hook the ball a fair amount, and throw with slightyl above average velocity. I ususally cover about 15 boards with the hook. It seems like I leave the 10-pin standing quite a bit even when I nail the pocket perfectly. Any tips for getting that last pin to fall more often?

Answer 1

You are not nailing the pocket perfectly if you are not knocking down the 10 pin. It needs to hit the one and the three pin at the same time and right in the middle. Keep practicing.

Answer 2

See if you can strike the pins between the #1 and #2 pin, or #1 and #3 pin (depending on how you bowl) to get that to slam into the back pins with greater force

Answer 3

Keep Your Arm Swing Loose - Out of all the bowling tips I consider this very important. The key to a loose arm swing is keeping your grip relaxed in the ball. Don't squeeze fingers or thumb, keep them relaxed, especially the thumb. To have a relaxed thumb in the ball your ball has to be fitted and drilled correctly. If your thumb hole feels loose it will cause you to squeeze the ball and then muscle your swing. Inserts in the thumb and finger holes can help give you a more secure fit. If you have a large webbing at the base of your thumb adding extra bevel around the top of the thumb hole will give you a deeper secure fit.

Use Your Lower Body Leverage - On the last step bend your knee to get down lower to the lane and slide your foot straight towards the foul line making sure it does not turn. Think of it as sliding into a deep knee bend. Counter balance your body by moving your non-sliding leg sideways to the opposite side of your bowling arm. Make sure you keep your upper body fairly erect as you get down low to the lane.

Finish Up Close To The Foul Line - You should be about six inches from the foul line at the end of the delivery to have an optimal release. In an optimal release the ball is lofted a small distance over the foul line before it makes contact with the lane. This gets the ball further down the lane conserving energy when it hits the pins. If you're finishing up too far from the foul line move closer to it when you start out in the stance.

Relax Thumb, Come Through Ball - Don't try to over lift or turn the bowling ball during the release. It will only cause muscling and misdirection of your arm swing. Instead just relax your thumb and come cleanly through the ball as you release it and follow through, keeping your eyes focused on your target. For a strong release you need good lower body leverage (legs) and you also need to finish up close to the foul line (read above bowling tips).

Bowling Is A Mental Game - Analyze your delivery and think about what you are doing when you practice. Feel your good shots as you make them and imprint it into your mind so you can repeat them. Use visualization to practice off the lanes in your mind making perfect shots.

Try The Drop Away Method - The drop away replaces the push away. In the drop away method hold the ball high up in the stance at shoulder height and take a small first step but don't move the ball (no push away). Instead just let the ball drop down into the swing on the second step. If this feels awkward to you try sliding your foot out on the first step until you get used to it.

Shoe Sliding Problems (Sticking) - If you have trouble sliding buy a Dexter red slide sole and some velcro self sticking fastener. Cut red slide sole and velcro self sticking fastener the same size as rubber heel on slide shoe. Paste velcro fastener on rubber heal and fasten red slide sole.

Develop Your Own Bowling Style - There is no set way that bowlers bowl and anything can work when a bowler repeats the same movements often enough. Do what works best for your game and scores.

Watch Professional Bowlers On TV - Watch the professional bowlers bowling in a tournament on TV and record them with your VCR or DVR. Play back the tape and watch in slow motion. Study their basic techniques to improve your own game. Women pros are great to watch because they rely on finesse over power. The PBA also gives bowling tips of the week during their televised tournament broadcasts.

Answer 4

when i have trouble carrying the ten pin i stand about 3 to 4 inches farther back on my approach and if that doesn't work i try to play one board farther left of my mark and it should hold the line better and not creating to much back-end..learn to pick those up consistantly then you will be averaging over 180

Answer 5

Are you a south-paw?(Left handed)Well, I would try adjusting your start. Standing farther in, or, moving out, if you do this it may help your hook. If you find the right spot you can concentrate on following thru with your swing and keeping a smooth ball. This is how we were taught.

Answer 6

there's no way i'll opt for. i'm ok at pool and not in any respect too ok at bowling yet i love both! fortunately the bowling alley the position i bypass has pool tables AND air hockey. So that is appropriate!

Answer 7

well in bowling you have to hit the pens right to the left of the pin so you can make it hit the one the theball goes to the left tot get the rest

Answer 8

Throw strikes, Dude.

Answer 9

Use consistant foot placement and throw for the same board .